April 9, 2013

Top Ten WWF Hall of Fame Snubs (80's Golden Age Version)

1. Randy "Macho Man" Savage - Yes, that Macho Man. The one who "Snapped into a Slim Jim" and was one of the most transcendent personalities in pro wrestling. He's not in the WWF Hall of Fame and, as I mentioned on Scott's page, it's entirely political - just as most things are in the world of pro wrestling. The rumor that has circulated for years now is that Savage had a sexual relationship with Vince McMahon's daughter, Stephanie, when she was under the age of consent. Though nothing ever came about that proves this rumor to be truth, it would very likely explain Savage's snub. After all, how the hell does a jobber like Koko B. Ware get inducted and Savage, one of the most decorated and celebrated wrestlers of all time, not get in? It's likely because McMahon hates the late great wrestler and will do anything to not allow him posthumous entry into his little club of legends known as the WWF/WWE Hall of Fame.

2. Jake "The Snake" Roberts - Perhaps Vince McMahon just doesn't want to risk Roberts getting plastered before giving his acceptance speech and embarrassing himself in front of his peers. Roberts has long battled serious addictions to pain medications and alcohol. And though he's been sober for over 70 days according to a recent interview on ESPN, it would be terrible if he couldn't hold it together while accepting the award. He's certainly deserving of being inducted. In fact, I dare say, he's as deserving as Savage even though Roberts never held a major title during his lengthy stay in the WWF/WWE.

3. The British Bulldogs - Even if you despise all things wrestling, after watching early footage of Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid, you'd be stunned by their athleticism and chemistry in the ring. Sure, wrestling is scripted. However, these two were so in sync and made everything seem effortless during a time when most tag teams were very stiff and boring to watch. They were trailblazers for many of the high-flying tag teams wrestling fans have grown to love in the past twenty years. Sadly, Smith has since passed away due to a heart attack (shocking, I know) and Dynamite is confined to a wheelchair (shocking, I know).

4. Owen Hart - For God's sakes, put this guy in the Hall. He literally died for his profession. He's one of the most revered and beloved wrestlers in family filled with incredible wrestling talents (brother Bret "Hitman" and father Stu are already in the HOF). It's senseless that he's not in yet but I have a sense that his day is coming. I mean, can you imagine the ovation his name would get when announced in front of the crowd? Bret or his wife or both could give the acceptance speech. It would be a great moment in pro wrestling history.

5. Miss Elizabeth - Aside from Owen's tragic death in 1999 when he fell to his death during a stunt in Kansas City, I can think of no death that was more stunning than Miss Elizabeth's passing in 2003. Nobody exemplified beauty and class quite like Elizabeth and to learn that she died from a combination of alcohol and painkillers blew my mind. What she should be remembered for was being the graceful manager of the "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Though she never wrestled in the WWF, she should join the likes of Bobby Heenan and Jimmy Hart in the manager's wing of the Hall of Fame but likely never will due to her association with Savage and the politics behind his lack of induction. Imagine the backlash if she got in and Savage didn't? It's just bad press that Vince McMahon doesn't need, not that anyone outside of the wrestling community gives two shits about his Hall of Fame, but those involved in the scene would never stop complaining about it.

6. Ultimate Warrior - Sure, he was a roided up freak of nature but he took the entire world of wrestling by storm and was one of the only wrestlers to actually get a "clean" victory over Hulk Hogan when he defeated Hogan at Wrestlemania VI and became the WWF Heavyweight Champion. Since then, he's made quite a name for himself for being oddly unpredictable outside of the ring. However, despite his unusual nature, he's an icon in the sport and should be given his place in the Hall alongside other iconic wrestlers who once held the Heavyweight Title.

7. The Honkytonk Man - The single greatest title reign in WWF history could very well go to the Honkytonk Man, who held the Intercontinental Title for a ridiculous one year, two months and 27 days in a row. It's unreal the heat he generated during that reign - the fans absolutely hated the guy and it was all due to his incredibly irritating persona. He was the ultimate self-promoter and one of the most memorable characters from the 1980s Golden Age of pro wrestling.

8. Lex Luger - I hate Lex Luger. Let me be perfectly clear about that. He's largely responsible for the death of Miss Elizabeth and he was probably one of the most over-inflated superstars of the 1980s. However, he's as recognizable as any icon from the era and was a superstar in both the NWA and the WWF.

9. Scott Hall & 10. Kevin Nash - I realize I'm straying somewhat from the 1980s WWF here but both Hall and Nash made their pro wrestling debuts in the 1980s in different organizations and thus should get mentioned. They carried the WWF during a very dark period in the post-steroid trial 1990s and made a major impact on the entertainment industry after their departure to WCW.